With the commencement of the next academic year four months away, the University is busy sending out acceptance letters to a new class of freshman students. North Carolinians and students from other parts of the country are not the only groups who have shown increased interest in attending. During the past few years, N.C. State witnessed a steady increase in the number of international applicants and admitted students.
International Student Orientation is a major event hosted by the Office of International Services to welcome international students to N.C. State and introduce them to University life in a new country. Although the event is scheduled for Aug. 10, the OIS staff has been planning since March. With students from over 100 different countries set to pack Stewart Theater, according to Lauren Ball, the programs coordinator for the OIS , the department has to plan as early as possible.
“There are actually a lot of pieces to orientation. Apart from the actual event, the OIS sends pre-arrival packets to all international students in April, conducts airport pick-up, check-ins with the OIS after their arrival in Raleigh, temporary housing, information fairs and finally the welcome party,” Ball said. “Our orientation is different from the American Student Orientation since, in addition to orienting internationals to N.C. State, we’re orienting them to a new country, non-native language… and a very different system of higher education.”
The success of an orientation is not only dependent on the OIS staff, but also on many volunteers who actively participate to make sure the event is a huge hit. Every year, the OIS looks forward to having current students to volunteer for the orientation as small group leader.’
“Small Group Leaders are a key to our orientation’s success and to our new international students arriving informed and ready for N.C. State.” Ball said. “…It’s a system that is pretty unique to N.C. State and we’re proud of that.”
Prior to each International Student Orientation, the OIS divides the group of incoming international students into groups of 25 people. Each group is led by one American and one international small group leader. Small group leaders corresponds with their group members throughout the summer and during the orientation.
Although being a small group leader may seem like a lot of work, these volunteers gain an exposure to a variety of cultures which may help improve their leadership and management skills. Snigda Pongur , a senior i chemical engineering, was one such small group leader in 2011 who felt that he learned a lot while helping others.
“I had a wonderful small group leader who helped me with my transition from India to N.C State. I realized how your small group leaders could be your first friends here at State, especially if you are an undergrad, and hence decided to help new students as much as I could by becoming an SGL myself,” Pongur said. “I would recommend anyone who’s looking to get some great experience and make new friends to take up a Small Group Leader position.”
Various University organizations like Carmichael Gym, Talley Student Center, University Dining and University Housing also participate in the OIS orientation. Student groups like Maitri , the Graduate Indian Student Association, and the Chinese Student and Scholar Friendship Association help by providing airport pick-up and temporary housing for new international students.
“We’re also developing closer relationships with the College of Engineering and the College of Management to help all the new international undergrads we have coming in August,” Ball said.
N.C. State has the largest international student population, nearly 3000, of all the universities in North Carolina. The University is expecting around 1000 new students in the fall, which is the highest international student population ever.
“Even if you’re not able to help at orientation, there are still ways for you to help welcome new international students to N.C. State,” Ball said. “If you have a new student in your class or a new student on your hall, take the time to say, ‘Hi’, and see how their first semester is going. Everyone has been new to N.C. State at some point and while it doesn’t take much effort on your part, it can mean a lot to a new student.”
